Advent Joy

This is my first Advent as a Catholic priest. I had forgotten the majestic joy of the season of Advent. It comes to me through the readings in the Divine Office. It comes to me through the somber and majestic prophetic readings at Mass. It comes to me through the violet vestments, the extra candles, the quieter flowers, the sober and joyful hymns. It is the full joy of gestation, the joy of expectation, the tension and joy of waiting for a child.